How about trying a different approach .....

How about starting an educational program for the ARF/new flyer participants .... maybe through the AMA mag. or others.
I mean a real push for education ! And, maybe a push to have all "NEW Pilots with New ARF's" checked out by an experienced modeler "before" they can be flown ... period.

Even new builders could gain some knowledge ... lets face it, even homebuilt planes from a new builder may have problems.

Educational articles could begin to show up in mags on what to look for, current problems found, how to "fix", etc..

I personally think some of the ARF's are pretty good, and I currently fly a GP Patty 300.
But I wouldn't mind at all if someone in the club inspected it "before" I flew it. In fact, when I got back in the hooby a couple of years ago I "assembled" a Sig Extra 300 and "ask" someone to inspect it before "they" flew it for the first time.

I am not the worlds best builder, and I don't really enjoy that aspect of the hooby as much as flying. I would hate to see ARF's go away ... but I do agree that the quality must be there. If the reviews from magazines told the whole story ... it may put pressure on the manufactures to increase quality.

There is a lot the AMA and magazines could do, in my opinion ,to help this aspect of our pastime.
We need to get more youth involved ... the ARF's may be our only hope in luring the "instant gratification" society into our clubs. I know our club has over 200 members, but the same 2 dozen are seen at the field, and hardly anyone under 40 years of age can be seen.

I know I'm dreaming a little here ... but there must be a way